Feng Huan felt his heart was in turmoil—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty—all kinds of difficult flavors. He was a bit dazed for a moment, until Li Yuncheng pulled him hard and he realized he had almost fallen into the pit.
Li Yuncheng chewed on the antidote pill given by the Mei clan members and handed one to Feng Huan, smiling: “How did you offend them? Everyone has antidotes except you. I tried to ask for one for you, but no one paid attention to me. That girl gave it to me.”
Feng Huan looked in the direction he pointed, subconsciously hoping for something in his heart, but Li Yuncheng wasn’t pointing at A’Ji—it was a girl he wasn’t very familiar with. That girl met his gaze and rolled her eyes.
Feng Huan pushed the antidote back. “I don’t feel unwell. No need.”
Li Yuncheng looked him up and down, then looked back at the crowd of Mei clan people. Understanding, he sighed and patted his shoulder. “Beauty’s kindness is the hardest to repay.”
Feng Huan shrugged off his hand. “What beauty!”
Li Yuncheng dusted off his sleeves and walked away, saying unhurriedly: “Keep being stubborn. You’ll have a hard time ahead.”
Feng Huan turned back. This time he couldn’t even see A’Ji’s figure. Not far away, Mu Si was carrying the stolen bones of the old Prince of Yannan, walking unhurriedly. He thought that once this earth-shaking case broke out, His Highness’s Yannan journey would come to an end, and it would be time for him to return to the capital. Previously, when he rode through the capital daily, he hadn’t noticed, but after traveling and suffering hardships, he realized what prosperous and enjoyable days he’d had in the capital. Daily he was homesick for the imperial city, thinking about home with every meal and sleep. But now that he could soon return home, that longing heart wasn’t as urgent as usual.
Something seemed to have been added to his heart, pulling and tugging, giving him no peace.
He looked up at the sky above. Mountain mists rose between the peaks, connecting with rosy clouds. Everywhere was green shade, making the girls’ colorful skirts appear particularly brilliant. This was a world completely different from the imperial capital—vast, crisp, simple yet tinged with magic.
Being in Yannan missing the imperial capital—when he returned to the imperial capital, would he forget this land?
Feng Huan turned back once more, then sighed softly.
…
The Imperial Crown Princess’s procession finally entered the city.
There was no welcome along the streets, no cheering and worship. The people in the city hid inside various houses and shops, peering through door cracks at the “plunderer” from the imperial capital. Some, influenced by the messages spread by Yannan officials during this period, had eyes full of hostility, as if this magnificent convoy would burst into their homes the next moment to burn, kill, and plunder. Others were well-informed and had already heard about what happened outside the city. Looking at the curious crowd following behind the procession, their eyes couldn’t help but show some confusion.
In the carriage, Tie Ci lifted the curtain and looked at the Gui Qizhai manager in the crowd who smiled and gestured to her, also smiling back with her eyes.
Murong Yi suddenly asked: “Do you have any properties under your name?”
Tie Ci laughed: “What, are you starting to investigate already? Don’t worry, I can still afford to support you.”
“Then I want golden palaces with white jade halls, to sleep in different rooms every day—tonight the jade room, tomorrow the pearl room, the day after the white jade room. I don’t want the golden ones—too vulgar. For daily meals I want Fuyang pearl rice from Liaodong, special dried fruits from Yannan’s ten-thousand-acre orchards, handmade sauces from the Li family of Longxi, peach blossom oil from Lingzhou combined with famous products from various places for cooking…” Murong Yi listed a bunch of things. Tie Ci kept nodding, and when he finally finished, she laughed: “Never mind then, you support me instead. My requirements can be a bit lower—I can accept a golden house, for instance.”
“How could a golden house be worthy of you? The sea area near Wangou Gorge in Liaodong produces abundant coral, red as blood with dark green starlight, extremely brilliant. Therefore it’s always been ‘one inch of blood coral, one inch of gold.’ When I return, I’ll use blood coral to decorate a room to marry you.” Murong Yi put his arm around Tie Ci’s shoulder and pointed ahead with his chin. “Look, another one opened.”
This shop was obviously newly opened. The store wasn’t finished decorating yet, but the sign was already prominently displayed. Signs were also erected on several nearby streets with colorful display pictures posted. Carriages from transport companies passed by with Gui Qizhai’s name pasted on them. Before even opening, it had stirred up the whole city’s awareness.
Tie Ci smiled with pride: “Master said this is called advertising.”
“Your master is a business talent and possesses unique sources of goods that ordinary people can’t have, so doing business is almost pure profit.” Murong Yi said, “So your properties are also entrusted to your master’s management?”
“Of course. I became his disciple at age six. The private money I saved in the palace was handled by Master. Some was directly used to purchase properties managed by Third Senior Sister’s people; some was invested in Master’s businesses.”
Murong Yi nodded. This wasn’t strange. Tie Ci had been supported and educated by her master since childhood. With her mother unable to establish herself and her father under surveillance, when the little girl had some money, she naturally entrusted it to the person she trusted most.
“The past is the past. Previously Master was your closest person, but now you have a husband. You should take the money back to prepare your dowry and entrust it to someone more worthy of trust. In the future, I’ll manage your properties. Don’t worry, my stewards are definitely no worse than those under your master.”
Tie Ci frowned slightly, wanting to jokingly say something like “isn’t this like a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth” or “throwing meat buns at a dog”?
Having the Crown Princess of Da Qian entrust all her properties to the heir of Liaodong? How absurd.
But Murong Yi seemed to guess her thoughts and pressed his finger to her lips: “Wait, can you forget our identities? Look at things purely from the perspective of our relationship?”
Tie Ci smiled shamefacedly.
No help for it—after being Crown Princess for over ten years, it was occupational habit.
She said nothing more. Murong Yi’s suggestion had vaguely touched on some sensitive issues.
She didn’t know why Murong Yi always maintained such great wariness and sensitivity toward her master. After all, if Master wanted to harm her, he simply wouldn’t have saved her back then. Without Master’s protection and support all these years, she would never have survived to today. That Master had gradually let go of her these past two years was because she had reached the time to be independent. A Crown Princess who always needed protection and support could never sit firmly on the throne.
But she couldn’t blame Murong Yi for anything. His suspicion and caution must be related to his background and experiences. How could those in power not have multiple backup plans? How could they place their life and death entirely in others’ hands? Moreover, Master was so mysterious and capable.
Murong Yi continued: “If you find it hard to speak up, just nod and I’ll handle it.”
“Like how you and my senior brother extorted Black Card?” Tie Ci chuckled. “Senior Brother has already written three letters scolding you and demanding that ten thousand plus taels of silver, saying if he doesn’t get it he can’t balance the books and Master will force him to streak naked in the marketplace.”
“Did you give it to him?”
“Of course not.”
Both laughed heartily. Finally Tie Ci said: “No need for you to handle it. One extortion was enough. If you always play the villain, it would seem like Master and I have grown distant.”
Murong Yi smiled it off, knowing his A Ci could shoulder the whole world, so naturally she wouldn’t fear taking on this small difficulty.
That A Ci wouldn’t let him handle this matter was probably hoping to maintain a good impression with her master, who was after all very important family. Murong Yi understood her thoughtfulness and wouldn’t overstep.
Murong Yi rubbed his fingers, thinking of the soft, warm sensation under his fingertips just now. His heart itched, thinking of what he’d heard people say before—that liking someone meant wanting to be close to her, look at her, caress her, kiss her all the time. Even hearing her name brought joy, even touching fingertips brought happiness. The ancients truly didn’t deceive me.
Thinking this, his finger moved to Tie Ci’s lips again, but Tie Ci suddenly opened her mouth and gently bit down. Murong Yi started, then his eyes became tender as he slowly moved closer.
But just then came a sharp whistling sound. Both were masters who could judge direction by sound, so they only needed to shift their bodies slightly to avoid the arrow.
Tie Ci was puzzled. Outside the city during the reception, her side had already demonstrated force and killing intent. Now that they’d entered the city, who was still so blind?
Turning her head, she saw an arrow pierce through the carriage window from the side, but it flew far above her head. The arrow tail had a hook that caught the carriage curtain with a ripping sound. The fine bamboo curtain woven with gold thread could normally block arrows, but the arrow came from above the curtain, cleverly shooting through the rope holding the curtain. The curtain fell with a clatter, tangling together as it swept over Tie Ci’s head. The arrow’s momentum wasn’t spent, continuing over Tie Ci’s head toward Murong Yi’s. Murong Yi raised his other hand and caught the arrow.
But one side’s curtain was already destroyed.
Through the carriage’s wide window, the people on the street could all see the scene inside.
A pair of beautiful people.
Closely embracing.
Both were like jade trees and jeweled flowers, both wearing men’s clothing, both not overly magnificently dressed. For a moment it was hard to tell which one was the Crown Princess.
But people couldn’t spare time to research who was the Crown Princess—they were all busy picking up their eyeballs, gazes rolling between the two.
Shoulder to shoulder.
Head to head.
Had they just seen one person’s finger brush the other’s lips?
Those with better eyesight were exclaiming in amazement, hardly believing what they saw.
The people were in uproar. Someone in the distance shouted loudly: “I heard the Crown Princess is lustful and debauched, daily summoning people to accompany her during the southern tour, even causing murder cases over jealousy, leading to a prefect’s death, which was hastily closed afterward to protect the dignitary’s reputation. Seeing this now, it’s indeed true! In broad daylight, surrounded by people and officials, she acts without restraint, engaging in daytime debauchery!”
On both sides of the carriage, Yannan officials smiled at each other.
This time it wasn’t pre-arranged.
Just by spreading some rumors and letting people see this scene, naturally those stubborn scholars who valued propriety and morality couldn’t help but come forward to scold her on the street.
Young people were hot-blooded, and the Crown Princess acted without regard or avoidance—wasn’t this giving people a handle?
If nothing else, this would at least leave a bad impression in the minds of Yannan’s scholars.
The people would also look down on this Crown Princess.
Prestige was easy to destroy but hard to build.
The people were in uproar, some began throwing rotten eggs and old shoes.
But these things couldn’t get within three feet of the carriage before being blocked back by various blades, spears, and arrows. One rotten egg shot straight back at the thrower, exploding in front of him. The extremely penetrating stench made him roll his eyes and collapse unconscious.
The others, covered in rotten shoes and vegetable leaves, fled in all directions.
While fleeing they continued cursing, but suddenly all cursing stopped and the street fell silent.
The curtains parted left and right, revealing a couple emerging hand in hand.
In the hearts of everyone who saw the two standing on the carriage shaft, four words instantly flashed: “Divine Couple.”
Both had the same graceful bearing and jade-tree elegance, but completely different temperaments. One was like warm autumn sun—bright and mellow; the other like moonlit flowers—magnificent and beautiful. The white-clothed youth’s eyes were clear and warm when looking at people, making them feel inexplicably close, while the black-clothed man’s smiling eyes held threads of coldness—dark currents surging beneath ice, making people afraid to look too long.
For beautiful people or things, people always had tolerance beyond their own imagination. The cursing stopped and didn’t resume. Countless women began pushing forward, wanting another look at the beautiful men from the imperial capital. Even if one of this pair in the carriage must be female, at least those young masters beside the carriage all had extraordinary bearing.
More people looked at the two in confusion—which one was the Crown Princess? Neither looked like a woman.
You Weixing turned back, saw Tie Ci, and his gaze fixed slightly. Using his fan to cover his face, he said in a drawn-out tone: “So it really is that person…”
At the Four Pleasures Garden during the prefect’s birthday celebration, he had felt that youth was graceful and refined with distinguished bearing, couldn’t help wanting to tease him. Later he searched everywhere without success and felt regretful.
Now finally seeing the true face, his eyes shimmered with flowing light, unclear whether from joy or regret.
But as soon as his gaze lingered a bit longer, the expressionless black-clothed beauty’s eyes turned over. When their gazes met, You Weixing instinctively shrank his neck.
He felt the hair on his back instantly stand on end.
This one truly had both killing intent and jealousy flying together.
Tie Ci stood on the carriage shaft, smiling as she cupped her hands toward all directions, her tone peaceful and calm: “I am Tie Ci. Greetings to all Yannan elders.”
The crowd looked up at the Crown Princess whose robes fluttered like an immortal, dazzled and mesmerized. Many instinctively knelt to pay respects, while those kneeling were given eye-rolls by others.
Standing high, Tie Ci smiled at this and let her gaze wander, laughing: “I’ve long heard that Yannan’s customs are free and open, believing in natural ways. Between men and women, they’re not restricted by Central Plains propriety and defenses. When two hearts are in harmony, feelings arise naturally. Marriage between men and women happens when they’re compatible. I have long admired this.”
She pointed behind the crowd: “I suppose that must be a pair of loving young people.”
Everyone looked in the direction she pointed—it was indeed a man and woman walking hand in hand on the street.
In Yannan, this wasn’t unusual. Yannan people also felt Central Plains propriety was pedantic with too many restrictions. Now hearing the Crown Princess openly express admiration, they couldn’t help feeling proud and showing smiles.
Tie Ci said: “Since I admire Yannan’s free customs, I naturally yearn for them. Now that I’m here, when in Rome do as the Romans do. I also want to be with my companion—a pair of lovers who can happily accompany each other in public and openly hold hands. Only thus would I not waste these good years. Isn’t that right?”
The people nodded repeatedly. Indeed, their place was so good—dare to love and hate. Wasn’t it also a good story for the most noble person from the imperial capital to learn from them?
Those scholars who had come forward to scold Tie Ci frowned slightly, thinking the Crown Princess reacted quickly. When they said she was improper, she used Yannan customs as justification, turning her inappropriate behavior into emulating Yannan’s free spirit. With just a few words, she both exonerated herself and drew closer to the people.
Someone angrily shouted: “Your Highness must not speak nonsense! Yannan people’s mutual affection cannot be compared to Your Highness disregarding status and publicly being intimate with others, causing murder cases during the southern tour over jealousy!”
Before he finished speaking, Tie Ci had already pointed at him: “Slap his mouth.”
Immediately a guard rode out from the crowd, grabbed the man from the crowd, and gave him several slaps front and back, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. If not for the guard holding him, he would have collapsed.
The crowd was in uproar. Someone rushed forward angrily shouting: “Your Highness, we who read sage books can question worldly affairs. How can Your Highness so insult scholars without fearing condemnation from all under heaven!”
Tie Ci stood before the carriage, coldly saying: “Since you read sage books and call yourselves scholars, then please tell me, which sage book taught you to speak slanderously, disrespect the court, insult the heir apparent, defame and frame others?”
Without waiting for their answer, she pointed to Murong Yi beside her and said frankly: “This is my beloved, whom my imperial father and mother have also met. I met him last year during my travels outside the capital, first in Ziyang, where we encountered a major case of local officials colluding with the Liaodong prince to illegally smelt Yuantie…”
She briefly recounted her encounters with Murong Yi, omitting many sensitive points while emphasizing how they weathered storms together, broke through traps, how they went from mutual deception to mutual rescue, how they journeyed from Ziyang to Qingyang, how they fled together through mountains, how they went from county offices to academies, from academies to Xiao family territory, and how they crossed seas to reach Yongping. She spoke eloquently of the winding, difficult journey.
Her breath was sustained and voice unhurried but carried throughout the long street. Speaking neither hastily nor slowly with clear articulation—the Crown Princess had studied many subjects since childhood, including “speech” which specifically trained tone, intonation, and rhythm, since imperial presence and dignity had to be reflected in all aspects. Therefore, hearing her lengthy discourse, the people not only didn’t find it verbose or annoying but found it very comfortable to listen to. Even if the content were dry, they’d willingly listen, let alone when the content was quite exciting. Though not as dramatically modulated as tavern storytellers, it flowed like water, making people feel refreshed.
Before the carriage, You Jun turned to look at the pair on the carriage shaft, his expression somewhat complex and strange.
Beside him, You Weixing raised his eyebrows and drawled: “My goodness, this is a confession to the whole world.”
Author’s Note: Actually still quite busy, very worried about having to stop updating again after starting, but having stopped for so long feels quite embarrassing. Will update for now.